Thief takes diamond made from cremation

HOUSTON (NBC/KPRC) - A company that makes diamonds from the cremated ashes of loved ones is looking for answers after one of its overseas shipments to a grieving family turned up empty.

The diamonds are specially made from cremated remains as a way to remember a loved one who has died.

"Which would be invaluable to someone else, but priceless to the family," said Vincent Campise, with Algordanza.

Campise works for the Swiss-based company that has an office in Houston. They ship
diamonds all over the world.

Their most recent client: the parents of Kyle Thomas. The 25-year-old died after getting hurt playing Australian football, and his family paid $15,000 for two one-of-a-kind
diamonds.

"They were packed here,” said Campise. “We did pack them, shipped them, sent them to Australia -- hoping the diamonds would make it to the mother of the deceased son."

But they didn't. The family snapped photos the day after their package arrived -- of the empty white boxes. The diamonds never made it.

"I thought, ‘This is not real. This is a bad dream,’" said Algordanza Founder Veit Brimer.

It's unclear what happened to the diamonds, but it appears they were stolen. The Thomas family spoke from Australia, saying the theft is devastating.

"I'd like to see the people responsible be brought to justice,” said father Steve Thomas.

"We're looking to make sure this never happens again,” said Campise.

Algordanza believes the diamonds were stolen somewhere between Singapore and Australia, and they are working with local authorities to investigate.